I tugged her back to me then took her by the wrist so I could flash him her ring. “And she’s going to be putting up with me for the rest of her life.”
His brows went high before he slanted a disbelieving grin at her. “Ah, I see how it is. You went and broke the wild one?”
“Oh, we’re just about to get wild,” I tossed out.
Aster giggled. “It seems there is no breaking to it, but I’m at least going to keep him reined.”
He chuckled. “Good. He needs someone to keep him in line.”
“Happy New Year, Milo,” Aster said before I dragged her down the hall and out into the mayhem that was Absolution.
People were packed wall to wall, and the band was already on the stage, a disco ball tossing glittering rays over the crowd that throbbed and danced.
I kept my hand snug on Aster’s as I shouldered through the crowd toward our reserved booth. We broke through to find Trent and Eden tucked on one side, the girl sitting fully sideways on his lap. Tessa sat next to them. Salem and Jud were on the opposite side, and Jud’s arm was draped over Salem’s shoulder, and she had her head rested on his chest.
I loved that my brothers had found it. Found what they deserved. What was right.
A flash of grief came faster than I could hold it back. The fact that Nathan had never gotten that chance. He was blameless, no stains, pure, and he was the one who’d gone down for our sins.
A hand slipped up my spine. Warmth and comfort. I let go of a shaky breath and pushed it aside because I’d learned the hard way that dwelling on what couldn’t be changed didn’t fix anything. It caused more torment. Ate away the good memories and left you consumed by the mistakes.
For so long, my memories of Nathan had been tainted, but I didn’t want that any longer.
Tessa popped up the second she noticed us, and she threw her arms in the air. “Finally, you are here!”
“I know you were missing me, but come now, Tessa, at least try to keep your infatuation contained.” I let the razzing free. I couldn’t help it when it was so easy to mess with the girl.
She gasped then shook her head like she felt sorry for me. “Um, I am infatuated, but that infatuation is with your girlfriend.”
Aster giggled.
I grabbed my girl’s hand again and waved it like I was showcasing the next prize on a cheesy game show. “That would be fiancée.”
That time when Tessa gasped, it was real. “Shut your fucking face. Are you serious?”
Joy burst from Aster. So profound it slammed me like a shockwave. “It seems he’s stuck with me.”
Tessa flew forward and grabbed Aster’s hand so she could study the ring.
That tiny ring that I’d happily exchange for something bigger and flashier, but Aster had made it clear there wasn’t a chance.
Emotion kept rushing from Aster as she was surrounded in attention. Salem and Eden jumped up, too, and the three women smothered my girl in a crush of arms and well-wishes and giggles.
There was no missing the weight of my brothers’ stares, though. I hadn’t told them yet. I didn’t want to get them any more spun up than they already were. The mess that we were in that I still didn’t have a fucking clue how to get out of. All that history that we still didn’t have an answer for.
Trent slid out, and I took a couple steps his way. He stuck out his hand. I guessed I shouldn’t have been surprised when he said, “Congrats, man.”
Relief hit me as I shook it, and he used it to pull me in tight, hugging me hard, his words a rumble at my ear, “Congrats. Truly. Want the world for you. You deserve it. And I know you love her, and I want you to know, I stand by you, by her, whatever you need.”
Thickness filled my throat, and I nodded as I eased back. “Thanks, brother.”
“And you know that goes the same for me,” Jud promised as he came in to hug me, too. “Anything. After spending Christmas Eve with you two, it was clear. Whatever shit went down, it didn’t have the power to destroy that love you have for each other, and if you have somethin’ that powerful, it’s your job to fucking hold onto it. Don’t let it go. Whatever it takes.”
I peeked back at Aster. I felt it way down deep in my soul.
I turned back to my brothers. “I won’t.”
Tessa whirled around on another gasp, and she slapped her hand over her heart. “I can’t believe it…the player tossed in the towel.”